Happy Birthday Baby Sister!

Today is my baby sister's birthday.  Happy birthday Juliet!

Some pictures I found in a file called "Juliet" :-)

Does Sin Make You Stupid?

Something I have noticed and contemplated recently or that has come to the forefront of my attention is that there seems to be an inversely proportional link between sin and intelligence.  Or a directly proportional link between sin and stupidity. As sin or disobedience to God's laws increases-- intelligence, good judgment, and rational thought seem to decrease and stupidity, lack of good judgment, and irrational thinking appear to increase. In other words, in my experience it seems like people who choose to disobey the laws of God, i.e. sin, tend to become less rational, more paranoid, and less aware of reality, i.e. more stupid.

I can think of a handful of examples off the top of my head. What's interesting about these people is that most of them are or claim to be of above average intelligence.  Yet when they start making poor choices and letting Satan dig his claws into their flesh -- that's for you, Lisa :-) -- and drag them down, they inevitably become more stupid.  Their cognitive thought processes and behavior become irrational.  They say and do things that make you want to quote John McEnroe, "You Cannot Be Serious!"

It would be interesting to conduct a scientific study about the correlation between sin and stupidity.  There have actually been many studies done about morality.  This would be an interesting take on a moral study. I'm sure there would not be a lack of available subjects. Unfortunately.

I could cite several examples but I think I will keep it simple and just state my observation.  To me it's kind of like the chicken and the egg question.  Which came first?  The sin or the stupidity? Are you stupid because you sin?  Or do you sin because you're stupid? I think an argument could be made both ways.

Obviously all of us make poor choices now and then and hopefully we repent and try to do better.  It's just part of being an imperfect mortal.  It's part of our earthly test. That's not what I'm talking about here. No, I'm talking about those who choose not to repent and choose to allow Satan to control their lives by dropping their defenses and continually following his deceptive influences.

The sad thing is, that those who have fallen into Satan's trap and let him control their lives are the very people who persecute those who are trying to follow God's laws and do what's right.  They are also the very people who think that those who are trying to follow God's laws and do what's right are stupid and blinded and unaware of reality.  When in fact, the opposite is true.

Perhaps it is the guilt associated with the sin and poor choices that causes the person to behave irrationally or, in other words, stupidly.  Perhaps a defense mechanism? Perhaps a way to cope with the guilt of living a life contrary to God's laws by rationalizing the behavior in one's own mind using an irrational thought process.

The Scriptures make it very clear that one cannot be happy while living a sinful lifestyle. It is impossible. Stated very simply, "... wickedness never was happiness." -- Alma 41:10

Yet how many people who choose to live a sinful lifestyle say that they are completely happy?  Just another example of sin leading to stupidity.

I actually started this blog post a couple of days ago and mentioned to Lisa what the title was going to be.  She found a great article on the topic by Sister Sheri Dew and sent me a few quotes.  So I went ahead and searched for and read the article, which was taken from a BYU devotional address which happened to be given on my birthday in 2003.  :-)

Anyway it is an excellent article and more than worthy of the time and effort it takes to read it.  I highly recommend reading it.  I put the link at the end.  Just click on the title of the address.

So, Sheri Dew pretty much answers my question in the title of this post.  Here's what she had to say:

"Repentance is, frankly, just plain smart, because sin makes you stupid: Stupid because you are deaf, dumb, and blind to the ways of the Lord. Stupid because habitual sin drives the Spirit away, leaving you outside the protective influence of the Holy Ghost. Stupid because it makes you incapable of drawing upon the powers of heaven. Being stupid costs a lot.

"Sin costs a lot, too. It can cost time, money, peace of mind, progress, self-respect, your integrity and virtue, your family, the trust of those you love, and even your Church membership.

"Sin is just plain stupid. And the cost is off the charts. So repent now. Repent daily. If you want to be sanctified, repentance is not optional.

"Obedience, on the other hand, is brilliant, and its fruits are endless—one of which is happiness. The only way that I know to be happy is to live the gospel.

"It is not possible to sin enough to be happy. It is not possible to buy enough to be happy or to entertain or indulge yourself enough to be happy. Happiness and joy come only when you are living up to who you are. King Benjamin clearly understood this when he admonished us:

"Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For . . . they are blessed in all things . . . ; and if they hold out faithful to the end . . . they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. [Mosiah 2:41]

"Satan no doubt bristles at this principle, for happiness is something the ultimate narcissist will never experience. I have yet to meet the man or woman who is happier because he or she was dishonest or because they were addicted to something or because they were immoral. The Lord blessed us with covenants that keep us on the straight and narrow path because this road less traveled is actually the easier road. It is so much easier to be righteous than to sin." --You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory, Sheri L. Dew, December 9, 2003, BYU Devotional

 "Does sin makes you stupid?"  The answer is yes.  And who wants to make themselves more stupid than they already are?  Life is hard enough to navigate through without being stupid.  So, repent, be obedient to God's laws, and desire to always do what's right and you will become much smarter, wiser and find much joy and happiness throughout your life.

That's my two cents.

Oh Snap!

On Tuesday, I went for my two-week follow-up x-rays status post diagnosis/stabilization.  It's actually 4 1/2 weeks status post fracture. In fact today is the five-week mark!  Seems more like five months.  :-(

They were able to take the x-rays in my chair with the brace on.  So that made it easier on me.

The AP view is easier to see for the untrained eye :-).  As you can see, it is better aligned than the original x-rays showed.  The lateral x-ray is upside down with my patella at the bottom.  It also shows good alignment.  So needless to say, I was pleased with the results.

Hopefully the bone will continue to heal and show some callus formation on the next x-ray.

Juliet brought me a gift this morning.  See below :-)

It's even the left leg on the unfortunate gingerbread man!  And yes, I did hear a snap when the fracture occurred.

Juliet reenacting breaking my femur.  You can't see it underneath my awesome Blair pants but I have a full-length leg brace on stabilizing that femur.

 Thanks Juliet!  :-)

Merry Christmas

This year we had a two-day Christmas celebration.  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

I had the brilliant idea of having a fragrance lottery.  I bought a bunch of "our version of"perfume/cologne and had them displayed on the hearth.  Divided into men and women sides.  And then everybody drew a number out of a box and when your number came up you got to go select a fragrance.

I think everybody had fun.  It was fun for me to watch them anyway :-)

here are a couple pictures of everybody with their selected fragrance.  

 And then of course it has become tradition to make a blanket for everybody with their name and a design embroidered on it.  The following are pictures of everybody with their blanket.

Of course everybody thought their blanket was the best!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Broken Record

I hate to sound like a broken record but this is something I feel is extremely important and well, this is my blog so I can say whatever I want.  :-) 

When we choose to be baptized into the Lord's Church, we covenant with Him to follow His commandments. One of which is to help others come unto Christ -- or return to Him for those who have strayed.  We do this by example, encouragement, and love.

In this month's Ensign there is an article by Elder L. Tom Perry, one of the current 12 apostles.  This article really resonated with me at this time.  So I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes from that article. 

It's interesting to me how the answer to almost any gospel question is to pray and read your scriptures daily.  Those are two things that are so important for us to always do in order to keep our testimonies burning and strengthen them.  It seems so simple but how many of us actually pray and study our Scriptures daily?

Yet, what a difference it makes in our lives when we do.  Not only are we much happier, but we are able to help others find true happiness by sharing the gospel with them through example and testimony.

Anyway, here are some excerpts from Elder Perry's article:

"We have moved away from traditional worship. More people say they are spiritual rather than religious. If a teaching fits their lifestyle, they accept it and it becomes part of their faith. If it does not, they develop their own man-made faith. Faith and spirituality are now viewed as consumer products. Materialism has taken over and replaced God.

As Latter-day Saints, our voices must be heard in opposition to these dangerous trends designed to destroy the faith of mankind. The Book of Mormon warns us over and over about replacing our trust in God with things that do not last. 

... Could there be any stronger proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, than by studying and living His saving doctrines, which He has revealed throughout the dispensations of the world? He has given us His gospel to guide and direct us during our earthly sojourn.

...You are the generation the Lord has saved for this day. You came out of the waters of baptism with a covenant and a promise to the Lord to represent Him in helping people throw off their worldly ways and return to the blessings promised us if we would follow Him and live His gospel. You can help your Heavenly Father’s children return to their Christian foundation, develop faith in Him, and return to His ways.

What You Can Do

You may ask, “What can I do?” Some months ago our stake president, speaking in sacrament meeting, suggested four things we could do to bring others back to their Christian faith:

1. Pray daily.

President Thomas S. Monson has said: “To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength. … Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer. … Remember to pray fervently.”³

Hold your daily prayers and help others return to their Christian faith by encouraging them to get on their knees and pray to God.

2. Study the scriptures daily.

Could there be any stronger witness of Jesus Christ than the testimonies we find in the Book of Mormon? Of its 239 chapters, 233 mention the Savior.⁴ Isn’t that amazing?

Be certain you have daily scripture study. Then help others return to their Christian faith by encouraging them to also study the scriptures daily.

3. Remain worthy to attend the temple.

Some of you have been to the temple; others have not. It is well to understand what is required to obtain a temple recommend. We understand clearly the process by which we go to a judge in Israel and confirm to him our worthiness to hold a temple recommend and then live by the standards required to keep that recommend.

Live in such a way that your righteous example will demonstrate how to be worthy of temple blessings.

4. Give daily acts of service.

Remember the words of King Benjamin: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). The Lord literally answers our prayers through the service we give to others.

Be an example of Christlike service, and help others return to their Christian faith by encouraging them to serve others." -- Helping Others Find Faith in Christ, Elder L. Tom Perry Of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, December 2014 Ensign

May we all remember our Savior, not only at this special time of year when we celebrate His birth, but always.  May we all follow His example and strive to keep His commandments.  In so doing, may we help and encourage others to find faith in Christ.

That's my two cents.

Merry Christmas!  :-)

Ouch! :-(

I spent my birthday at the doctor's office getting x-rays.

That was a challenge in itself but that's another story.

My suspicions were confirmed.  Spiral fracture of the distal femoral shaft.  :-(

Great birthday present!  :-(

Not you see why I chose the super girl pictures.  :-) The fracture occurred 2.5 weeks ago on November 22.

Happy Birthday to Me (Again)

Time sure flies!  Another year has come and gone.  And it's time to wish myself another Happy Birthday! As I was contemplating on which picture to put on my birthday blog this year, the following seemed apropos.

Since I'm arguably the toughest person on the face of the earth :-), the Supergirl shirt photos seemed appropriate for this year's birthday post.

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear Tammy, happy birthday to me!  :-)

Random Thoughts/Quotes

I don't know how many times I've read/listened to The Book of Mormon.  It's interesting how certain things tend to stand out to you at different times in your life.  As I was listening to The Book of Mormon several days ago the following Scripture jumped out at me.

"And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things." --Alma 24:30

To end on a brighter note, I just received the following quote:

"The mercy and grace of Jesus Christ are not limited to those who commit sins either of commission or omission, but they encompass the promise of everlasting peace to all who will accept and follow Him and His teachings. His mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent."

—Boyd K. Packer, "The Reason for Our Hope"

Boyd K. Packer on Santa Claus

I just read a bunch of quotes from General Authorities about Santa Claus. All of them were favorable towards Jolly old Saint Nicholas.  :-)  This was my favorite:

Boyd K. Packer

I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well-fed gentleman with the red suit and the white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our home. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and good, and all of them are for children--except, I suppose, the mistletoe.

From "Keeping Christmas," a 1962 BYU Devotional.